Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2007 06:18:37 -0800 (PST)
From: E Walk
Subject: The Doctor Gets a Visitor
The Doctor Gets a Visitor
Chapter 6 - The Remodeling Plans
As soon as the Gilberts left, Mrs. Tillison turned to Anita and asked,
"Anita honey, do you mind driving the van again since it is the only
vehicle big enough to carry the six of us to my house. Everyone needs to
see what I have in mind."
We left for Mrs. Tillison's house. Toby talked to Jeff the entire way.
Mrs. T. was busy drawing sketches so Jane, Anita and I just chatted.
When we were inside Mrs. T said, "Everyone just drop your coats on the sofa
and follow me." With that she walked into the parlor. She turned to Jane
and said, "Jane I would like to ask you some questions."
"Yes mother, what is it that you are going to ask me but have already made
up your mind that you are going to do?" Jane asked.
"There is room in Jack's study for this piano. We'll make his study into a
music room and move his old desk and old computer upstairs and make the
bedroom next to his bedroom a study. We can get a double door put in to
separate his living room and the music room so it could be closed off."
Mrs. Tillison thought for a minute then added. "I think that the Persian
rug would look very nice in the music room too."
"Grams, you won't have a piano then." Toby complained.
"It is just sitting here with no one ever playing it. I can't play anymore
because of the arthritis in my hands. I would really like someone to have
it that will use it. Since Jane doesn't play and you already have a piano
and I don't think there is room in your house for a grand piano, I think
that Jeff should use it and then you can have your lessons on it." Mrs. T
answered without stopping.
She led everyone upstairs. We followed her to one of the bedrooms. I
think this set would look great in your guest bedroom downstairs Jack.
Jeff's mother and stepfather can sleep in there. I think they might find
the canopy cover romantic."
Mrs. T. led us to another room with two beds and announced, "This set would
fit nicely in the back bedroom and Jeff's two younger brothers could use
it." We went to a third bedroom and she pointed, "This set will go nicely
in the middle room for Jeff's other brother."
"Jane, what do you think? It's okay isn't it?" she asked and immediately
turned to Anita and asked, "Anita honey, do you think you can have the
rooms pretty much done by the time Jeff's family arrives?"
Anita turned to Jeff and me, "Can we meet first thing Monday morning to
discuss what you would like the finished product to look like?"
"Mrs. Thompson we will be ready whenever." Jeff answered.
"Okay I'll be over at 9:30. Would it be alright if I brought Toby with
me?" she asked.
"Of course!" I answered.
"Jane honey, I think I need to take a nap. I'll just stay here. Call me
if you need me." Mrs. Tillison announced.
"Mother, what are you going to eat for dinner?" asked Jane.
"Jane, I am a big girl you know. I can probably take care of myself very
nicely."
"Grams, the girls will bring some leftovers and put them in the
refrigerator for later. Just don't forget they are there." Anita said.
Out of the clear blue, Jeff interjected. "Grams, why don't you take a nap
and I'll come pick you up in two hours? We'll have grilled cheese
sandwiches with soup and you can give us some ideas how we should do with
the decorating."
"Okay Jeffrey dear, I'll be ready. Would it be okay of I wear my slippers,
nightgown, and dressing robe?"
"That sounds like a good idea. Since I don't own any pajamas I'll wear a
warm up suit with my running shoes." Jeff answered.
When we got back to the Thompson house, Jane turned to Jeff and asked,
"What have you done to my mother? I have hardly ever seen her acquiesce to
anyone."
"Jeff, I think Grams is in love with you. Toby announced. "Do you love
her?' he asked.
"Toby, I think you're your great grandmother is a remarkable lady. I love
you but I adore her." Jeff answered.
"Good." Toby said.
"We really need to go now." I announced.
"Before you go Jeff, could you and come see me at my office on Monday say
at 11:30 and we can have some lunch and discuss your scholarship. Now that
father we know what your father can afford, I think I need to rethink your
scholarship." Greg announced.
"Are you the Dean of Music at the college sir? I should have recognized
the name from the correspondence. I am sorry if I offended you. Dad and I
will be there at 11:30." Jeff said dejectedly.
As we were leaving Greg took me aside and said, "Don't let Jeff get down on
himself, I have plans for him but I have to check with some other people
before I finalize them."
We said our thanks and made to leave. As we were going out the door, Jeff
turned to the three youngest Thompsons and said, "I'll see you people at
church in the morning."
"Gotcha' brother." said Candy. "We will be there."
While we were driving home, Jeff was very quiet. However once we got in
the house, he put head on my shoulder and sighed. I pulled him close and
held him. Finally he looked at me and asked, "Dad what did I do wrong? I
guess I won't be going to college." He started to shake.
"Jeff, you did nothing wrong. You heard what Hank said. I can put you
through college until you have four or five doctorate degrees. We will be
just fine. Now go get your warm up suit on and I'll get Mrs. Tillison
while you fix dinner."
When I arrived at Mrs. Tillison's house, she was wearing a bright lilac
warm up suit with a matching turtle neck and sneaker type shoes.
"You don't look like you are in you sleeping attire." I laughed
"Well honey, notice I do have my sneakers on though." she laughed.
When we got to the house I took her to the kitchen. I took her coat and
asked, "Mrs. T., may I get you a drink?"
"Yes Jack, I'd like a Chavez Regal if you have it with two cubes of ice and
a splash of water."
As I went to fix the drinks, I heard her go to Jeff and ask, "Why the tears
Jeff? Are you and your Dad having an argument?"
He answered; "Dad has been wonderful but." he couldn't continue because the
tears started to flow again. I went over to him and held him in my arms
and led him to the living room and made him sit on the sofa beside me.
Mrs. T. followed with our drinks and sat on the other side of Jeff.
Mrs. T. looked at me and asked, "Okay Jack what gives?"
I explained what had happened and told her what Greg said.
"Jack, where is your phone?"
I pointed to the hallway and she left. I heard her talking to someone but
didn't hear what was said. She called in, "Jeff, Toby wants to know if it
is okay if he comes over with his parents?"
"Tell him he can come if he is willing to work." Jeff answered. "Dad I
need to go finish dinner. Why don't you refresh Gram's drink and I'll call
you whenever everything is ready." With that he left.
While we eating, Mrs. T. kept asking questions about our likes and
dislikes. After we finished, she asked," Jack honey, could I have a mug of
decaffeinated tea?"
Before I could answer Jeff said, "Mrs. T. we have decaf Sleepy Tyme herbal
tea, Lemon Zinger decaf and English Breakfast decaf. Which one would you
prefer?"
"Lemon Zinger sounds like fun. Now let's get these dishes done while your
Dad makes my tea and we can make some more decisions about your decorating
so we can discuss them with Anita when she gets here." She answered.
"Mrs. T., I can do them by myself while you sit and visit." Jeff said.
She put her hands on her hips and said, "Young man are you trying to tell
me what to do."
"Grams, I would never do that." laughed Jeff.
The phone rang. I answered it in the kitchen, "This is Doctor Jack Wilson,
may I help you?"
"This is Woody Robinson. How are you doing Jack?" the voice asked.
"Sir, I think you must have a wrong number. I don't know a Woody
Robinson." I was about to hang up when Jeff grabbed the phone.
"Grandpa, this is Jeff. Dad had a memory lapse." Jeff laughed. They
talked for a couple of minutes and I heard Jeff say, "Grandpa I just had
Christmas dinner with one of the bank presidents here in Fremont.
Mr. Thompson's wife works for Dad and his son and family are going to be
coming here to the house shortly."
"He seems like a very nice person. We even have his mother in law,
Mrs. Tillison, here for dinner." Jeff listened to the phone and then asked,
"Grandpa, do you know Mr. Thompson?"
"Yes sir, I will open an account on Monday."
"Hi Gramma, yeah I think I will like here. Oh you were listening. Yeah
Mrs. Tillison's first name is Agatha. Let me get her. Love you."
He handed the phone to Mrs. Tillison, "This Aggie Tillison."
"My goodness, are you Jeff's grandparents? I haven't seen you for two
years. That was the last time I made the trip to the ranch."
"How have you and Woody been?" she asked and then she listened.
"I probably won't be going to Texas this year either. Cora has not been
feeling all that well and she doesn't want to be far away from her trusted
Doctor Wilson."
I thought she was going to hang us but it was like she had a great idea and
she asked, "What are you doing for New Year's weekend? Jeff's mother and
her family are coming to visit. Why don't the two of you join us?" she
asked.
After a short pause she said, "You will. Great and since Jack's house is
already going to be full and you can stay at my house. I have plenty of
room. I'll make sure Jeff has everything ready for you."
"Okay we'll see about noon on Friday." She was putting phone back on the
wall when the doorbell rang.
Jeff went to answer the door. Before he could answer it the chimes rang
again. Jeff opened the door and said, "Yes Toby, how may I help you?"
"Jeff, how did you know it was me?" asked Toby.
"Because the doorbell rang twice in thirty seconds and I saw your parents'
car out front?" he answered.
"Jeff can we play a game a game?" Toby asked.
"Not right now. I think I need to visit with your parents first. I'll
tell you what big guy. Why don't I take you up to Dad's room and you can
watch Spiderman on Dad's super big screen television?" Jeff asked.
Mom, Dad is it okay if I watch Spiderman while Grams is telling you what
she wants done?" Toby asked.
They both nodded in the affirmative.
"Come on Toby, I'll bring some pretzels and lemonade to keep you company."
Jeff told him as they left.
As soon as the guys left, Mrs. Tillison started, "Greg, what did you mean
when you told Jeff you wanted to meet him and his Dad to discuss his
scholarship? When I arrived here this evening, Jeff was in tears."
"Grams, I guess I need to apologize to him." Greg answered.
Before Greg could finish his answer, Jeff came down the stairs. Greg went
over to Jeff and hugged him and said, "I guess I didn't say what I was
thinking very clearly this afternoon. There is no way I would revoke your
scholarship unless you committed a felony. I was trying to think of a way
that I could make it even better but I can't make that decision on my own.
The reason I asked for the meeting later in the morning was so that I could
discuss my plans with everyone who needs to be involved in making the
decision. I apologize again for upsetting you."
"Dr. Thompson, I so want to make it on my own. I don't want Dad or Mom to
be disappointed in me or feel like they have to take care of me." sighed
Jeff.
"Nobody is going to take your scholarship away." said Greg. "That's a
signed and sealed contract. Now lighten up or Toby is going to yelling at
me all week."
"Everybody, I'm sorry for being such a wimp. I so much want to make it on
my own."
Mrs. Tillison looked at Jeff and laughed, "Jeff honey, I won't let anybody
hurt you. I think you are the just the person to take my place when Saint
Peter comes for me. I will have to get you trained properly. Now Jeff
could you take me home? I want to ride in that red T bird."
"Mrs. T., it would be my pleasure to drive you home. Is okay if I ask Toby
if he wants to go with us? I can drop him off at his house on my way
home." he asked. The Thompsons both nodded their approval.
"Toby," called Jeff. "I'm taking your Grams home now. Do you want to go
with me? I am taking her in my T Bird. Your Mother and Father said it
would be okay."
With that said, Toby came bouncing down the stairs and got his jacket.
"Come on Grams, you need your beauty sleep." Toby yelled as he took Jeff's
had and said, "Let's go."
"Aren't we forgetting someone?" Jeff asked.
Toby dropped Jeff's hand and went and took Mrs. T.'s hand and said, "Are
you okay Grams? Let me help you to Jeff's hotrod."
They left and Greg and Anita started to laugh. Greg said, "Maybe Jeff will
be able to teach Toby to think of others ahead of himself. I have never
seen him be so polite. I hope you keep that young man around."
"Jack, I have some questions for you. First what is your favorite color?"
Anita asked.
"Blue and my least favorite is green." I answered.
"Well how do you envision your house when we get done." she ask.
"I think it would be nice to have it to look a little masculine but not too
much so that it would be uncomfortable for visitors. It should be
inviting. It would be fun if each room had its own unique character. But
most importantly make it so Jeff and I can live here comfortably and not
make people think they have to take off their shoes when they visit."
"Thanks Jack, I think we be able to have it pretty much in shape by the
time Jeff's family get here. I'll still come on Monday at 9:30 to get some
measurements and make some sketches if that is okay? Now we really need to
get going so we get home before Toby does." Anita smiled.
"Thanks for reassuring Jeff that he did nothing wrong." I said as I
escorted them to the door. As they were walking down the walkway, I
yelled. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Absolutely." Greg called back.
When Jeff got back, he just asked, "Dad can we just go to bed? I am
exhausted.
We got ready for bed and Jeff put his naked body on mine and said, "Dad I
am scared. It seems like everything is happening in super fast motion. I
thought when I came here it would be nice and quiet." He rolled off of me
and gave me a kiss. "Dad hold me. Keep me safe. I love you. See you in
the morning." With that, he was out like a light bulb that had burned out.
I held him close and looked at him and smiled and thought, I guess this is
what being a parent feels like except I think I am falling in love with
him.